Chapter Twenty-two

Eden Martin was shocked at the information her daughter had given her. Who would have thought it? It was family cheating on family, and that brought its own measure of pain in addition to the betrayal itself. “Jacob went of his own free will, Nicky? When Harry decides to press charges.”

“I know, Mom. I’m certain he had already decided it was the right thing to do before he told me. I still can’t believe it. All these years you’ve trusted him with all our secrets and what a way to pay you back.”

“I would like to be the one to tell your father, if you don’t mind.”

Nicky knew her father would be gutted at the betrayal from such an unexpected quarter. They had never suspected, and why would they? There had been absolute trust between them for years. “Thanks, Mom. I’m afraid I wouldn’t have had the words. They were so close, Dad will never believe it.”

Eden looked at the family pictures and saw the turncoat having fun with Nicky and Abby; they had been happy. Back then, who would have thought that one day their friendship would be traded for money, the years of hard work and sacrifice stolen away. “Harry might not listen to him, or believe that he’s telling the truth.”

“She will, Mom. I sent a note. Harry will listen, I know it.” Why she was so sure, Nicky couldn’t have explained. Her gut feeling was that Harry would at least listen and decide for herself—Harriet Aristides was one astute woman.

Now that mention of Harry had come up in conversation, Eden broached a subject she had never found the opportunity to do since Nicky’s return. “Why didn’t you tell Harry who you were? If not when you first went to work for the company, why not when you and she were… thrown together, shall we say?”

I wondered when we’d get around to that question. I’m surprised it took her so long. I suppose that now is as good a time as any. “I was going to. I even tried to make an appointment to see her when I first started working at the company. But after Abby’s death, Harry went abroad and didn’t come back to the office for any extended periods of time for a couple of years. By then I decided that it was pointless to open old wounds, Abby had been gone for over two years. Besides, I would see Harry and the sadness in her eyes was so deep, I couldn’t bear to cause her any more pain. I kept an eye on her, as I know Abby would have wanted me to.” Sighing, she walked over to the window and looked out at the sunset that was about to cascade the sky above with beauty beyond description.

“What about recently?” came her mother’s voice from behind her.

Nicky turned around and leaned against the casement. “I planned to, I really did. Somehow, time rushed on and events crashed around us, and by that time, I didn’t know what to say. I was afraid of what she would think of me. Then I got sick, and the last chance I had was gone.”

Eden felt pity for her child. She had been wrong not to tell Harry, certainly at least by the start of the trip. Once they became lovers, if only for one night, the situation had become even more complicated. Nicky hadn’t the experience to talk herself around that one, which led to misunderstandings and recriminations. “Harry thinks that you stayed away from Abby because of her, is that true, darling?”

“No! Absolutely not. I was in accelerated courses and all the holidays were spent on specialized field trips. I called the apartment once, about two months before Abby died. Harry picked up the phone…I panicked and hung up. I know, I was stupid. I could have spent some time with them and I feel so guilty about that now. Mom, it still hurts that I ran away from you and Dad at the same time Abby died.” Tears fell as Nicky spoke for the first time about her cavalier letter to her parents five years ago as they reeled from Abby’s death. Another reason she had decided never to go back in the field. And look at me now. I’m running away again, only this time it’s back to where I started. “Please believe me, I didn’t know at the time I sent you the letter.”

“We knew that, darling. At the time, we all needed our own space. Time heals all wounds, remember? You and Harry need to talk. Think about it, Nicky, but don’t take too long.”

“I know. Harry said the same thing in a letter. With all the mystery surrounding our project, there hasn’t been time.”

“Make the time, Nic. You owe it to Harry and to yourself. If you let this pass you by, you’ll never forgive yourself.”

As she contemplated the advice, Nicky glanced out the window and saw her father ambling along toward the cabin. “Dad’s coming.”

“How about you go check with Abula? Some fine coffee laced liberally with Scotch would be a help. Your dad’s going to need it.”

“Good luck, Mom, and thanks for listening.”

“Hey, baby, that’s what moms are for. Maybe one day you might experience that for yourself.”

Nicky smiled ruefully. “Perhaps, but don’t hold your breath.” She quickly moved to kiss her mother’s cheek and hug her warmly.

“I won’t,” Eden said, returning the hug. “See you later,” she called as her daughter left by the side door.